Granville w



(N0 Model.)

G. W. WRIGHT.

PUSH BUTTON. N0. 455,086. Patentedlune 30,1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC GRANVILLE \V. IVRIGHT, OF NEYV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNCR TO SARGENT & COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PUSH-BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 455,086, dated June 30, 1891;

Application filed April 1Q 1891.

the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a view in front elevation of a pushbutton constructed in accordance with my in:

vention; Fig. 2, a view thereof with the shell of the device removed; Fig. 3, a view of the device in central transverse section; Fig. 4, a detached plan view of the insulating-disk, showing the contact-spring and the contactpoint, one finger of the spring being broken away; Fig. 5, a detached sectional view of the said disk, showing the wedge-shaped contactpoint in elevation; Fig. 6, a detached plan View of the said contact-point and of the plate of which it forms a part.

My invention relates to an improvement in push-buttons, the object being to provide a cheap and durable device in which an effect ive contact will always be secured.

WVith these ends in view my invention consists in the combination,with a case, of' a but ton movably mounted therein, an insulated contact-spring located within the case at substantially a right angle to the said button,

which engages with it about midway of its length and free at one end, and an insulated contact-point located adjacent tothe free end of the spring and presenting thereto an inclined surface arranged to move the same laterally.

My invention further consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

As herein shown, the push-button has a case consisting of a shell A and a ring A, adapted to be fastened together and to hold between them an insulating-disk B, of rubber or equivalent material, the shell being provided with a central depression A having an opening A through which the button 0 projects for engagement in operating the instrument.

The inner end of the said but-ton is flanged and engages with a contact-spring extending at substantially a right angle to it and secured at one end to the disk. As herein shown,this spring is longitudinally split to form two fingers D and D'and is provided at one end with a transverse foot D perforated to receive screws D by means of which it is attached to the diskfthe fingers D and D being bent over the saidfoot and springing where bent. The free ends of these springs have their adjacent edges correspondingly cut away, as at D D to form an entranceopening for a wedge-shaped contact-point E, secured to the disk B at a point thereon opposite the attachment of the contact-spring. As herein shown, this wedge-shaped contact-point consists of a tooth turned up from a small segmental plate E, provided at one end with perforations to receive screws E E by means of which it is attached to the disk. As herein shown also, the contact-spring is enlarged midway of its length, where it is engaged by the inner end of the contact-button.

Under the described construction,when the contact-spring is forced into engagement with the contact-point the same will move it laterally against its own tension and always secure an effective contact and rub hard enough to keep the two surfaces bright. If desired, one finger may be used instead of two, as herein shown, but I prefer to employ two. fingers; nor is it necessary that the contact-spring or the contact-point be constructed as described, for obviously they may take different forms so long as their general arrangement is preserved. I would therefore have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construct-ion herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I would also call attention to the fact that my invention, as hereiubefore set forth, may be employed in the construction of electric bell-pulls which are designed to simulate the common bell-pull connected with a wire running to a bell.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a push-button, the combination, with a case, of a button movably mounted therein, an insulated contactspring located within the case and at substantially a right angle to the said button, which engages it about midway of its length and free at one end, and an insulated contact-point located adjacent to the free end of the spring and presenting thereto an inclined surface arranged to move the same laterally, whereby the spring is simultaneously moved inwardly by the button and laterally by the contact-point, substantially as set forth.

2. In a push-button, the combination, with a case, of a button movably mounted therein, an insulated contact-spring located within the case at substantially a right angle to the said button and longitudinally split to form two fingers, and an insulated wedge-shapedcontact-point which enters between the two spring fingers and spreads them laterally apart, substantially as described.

3. In a push-button, the combination, with a case, of a button movably mounted therein, an insulating-disk located within the case, a contact-sprin g having at one end a transverse foot made in the same piece with it and adapting it to be attached to the said disk, the said spring being bent over the said foot and longitudinally split to form two fingers which at their free ends are correspondingly cut away to form a clearance-opening, and a wedge-shaped contact-point also attached to the said disk and adapted to enter the said opening and spread the spring-fingers when they are crowded down upon it by the button, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GRANVILLE XV. \VRIGHT.

Witnesses:

ELLIOTT LITTLEJOHN, \VM. S. Coons. 

